U.K. pix top Edinburgh

'Serenity,' 'Grizzly' to world preem at fest

LONDON — A strong slate of world premieres of British films, including “Wah-Wah,” “The Business” and “Stoned,” leads the lineup for the 59th Edinburgh Intl. Film Festival, unspooling Aug. 17-28.

Edinburgh also gives world premieres to Joss Whedon’s “Serenity” and Werner Herzog’s doc “Grizzly Man.” George Romero’s “Land of the Dead” will have its overseas debut.

“Wah-Wah,” Richard E. Grant’s directorial debut, opens the fest. Pic is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story set in Swaziland in the 1960s. Grant and cast members Gabriel Byrne, Emily Watson, Julie Walters and Miranda Richardson are skedded to attend the fest’s opening night.

“Stoned,” about the life and death of Rolling Stones co-founder Brian Jones, is producer Stephen Woolley’s first outing as director.

Other Brit pics screening in the British gala section are Thomas Clay’s “The Great Ecstasy of Robert Carmichael,” Julian Jarrold’s “Kinky Boots,” Lexi Alexander’s “Green Street,” Saul Metzstein’s “Guy X,” David MacKenzie’s “Asylum,” Gaby Dellal’s “On a Clear Day” and Jan Dunn’s “Gypo,” which is the first British Dogma film.

Thelma Schoonmaker will give a masterclass on editing and represent her husband, Michael Powell, who is being honored with a posthumous retrospective.

Other industry players set to discuss their craft at Edinburgh include Paul Schrader, Anthony Minghella, documeister Albert Maysles, Working Title’s Tim Bevan and cinematographer John Mathieson.